Hughes Calls Out PFL Drug Testing After Shabliy Ban

Paul Hughes says the Professional Fighters League's drug testing program is failing to catch cheaters and has called for lifetime bans on fighters who use EPO.

The Irish lightweight posted on social media Monday criticizing the six-month suspension handed to Alexandr Shabliy, who tested positive for recombinant erythropoietin in an out-of-competition sample, according to Sherdog. Hughes said Shabliy and former featherweight champion Movlid Khaybulaev, who received a one-year ban for the same substance last year, should both be barred from competition permanently.

Hughes Questions PFL-MVP Drug Testing Ahead Of Merger

Hughes told fans he has only been tested one day before his fights in the PFL, which he says gives fighters an easy window to cycle off banned substances. "All the drug testing that I have gotten has been just a day before the fights," he wrote. "That's not good enough; people are cheating that."

The criticism comes as the PFL prepares to operate under the Most Valuable Promotions banner following its merger with Jake Paul's company. PFL currently uses USADA as its testing partner, the same organization that handled drug testing for the UFC until recently.

Hughes has fought Usman Nurmagomedov twice for the lightweight title in his last three outings, losing both bids. He said he was unable to train for six weeks before their October rematch due to back-to-back surgeries. The Irishman competes again at PFL Charlotte on Friday.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Paul Hughes says current drug testing ‘not good enough,’ wants lifetime EPO bans